California

Is your California home in a hazardous wildfire zone? Check this map

By Nathaniel Levine

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California Wildfires: More Coverage

Over 2.7 million Californians live in very high wildfire hazard zones. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for wildfires, and why California still builds houses in these danger zones.

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More than 2.7 million Californians live in very high fire hazard zones, according to a McClatchy analysis of statewide maps created by Cal Fire scientists to determine wildfire risks based on terrain, vegetation and weather.

These maps, created in 2007 and currently being revised to reflect new weather models and other improvements, have successfully predicted most major incidents in recent years. About 4 million acres burned in 2020, a record, but California is still building housing in high-risk areas.

California’s fire hazard zones

Cal Fire created maps in 2007 to assess the threat of wildfires across the state. This map shows those risk zones for areas that are in state and local areas of responsibility – where people live – and excludes the national forests and other federal lands. Zoom in to your community to see its risk.

⬤ Moderate       ⬤ High       ⬤ Very High
Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE | Source: Cal Fire

This story was originally published June 20, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Is your California home in a hazardous wildfire zone? Check this map."

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California Wildfires: More Coverage

Over 2.7 million Californians live in very high wildfire hazard zones. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for wildfires, and why California still builds houses in these danger zones.

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